The Lit Pickers

Admittedly, this got a bit longer than 20 minutes. Sorry. Get ready for some venting as we unleash our inner literary haters. Serving up a platter of literary pet peeves, we’re adding the vinegar to our customary Turkish eggs. Join the discussion as we dissect what really grinds our bibliophilic gears. Because, despite our true love for all things books, sometimes we really can get picky.    You can find Supriya Nair at @supriyanair and Deepanjana Pal at @dpanjana on Instagram.    If you have any books, reading or literature-related questions, please email us at [email protected].    For a list of all the books mentioned in the season so far, check out: https://thelitpickers.fanlink.to/books   This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in.  Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Head of Audio: Kartik Kulkarni Producer: Meghna Gulati  Sound Editor: Lakshman Parsuram Artwork: Alika Gupta   Theme Music: Easy Wanderlings - Here’s to You

We’re baaaack! Let’s go on a whimsical storytime adventure with The Lit Pickers as Deepanjana sits down to chat about kid lit, reading as grown-ups, and the power of the fantastical imagination with award-winning author and editor Bijal Vachharajani. From giggles and comfort reads, to the question of who should have a seat at the literary table, these two long-time friends and collaborators have a lot to discuss. Demi-gods, fairy tales, picture books — there’s all kinds of magic in this episode.       You can find Supriya Nair at @supriyanair and Deepanjana Pal at @dpanjana on Instagram.    If you have any books, reading or literature-related questions, please email us at [email protected].    For a list of all the books mentioned in the season so far, check out: https://thelitpickers.fanlink.to/books   This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in.  Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Head of Audio: Kartik Kulkarni Producer: Meghna Gulati  Sound Editor: Lakshman Parsuram Artwork: Alika Gupta   Theme Music: Easy Wanderlings - Here’s to You

Snuggle up under your cosiest blanket because in this episode, we're diving under the covers of books that feel like a warm literary hug. Are comfort reads guilty pleasures, or is there something else about them? Are these books that offer clear answers, or do they complicate the picture for us? Join us as we spill the (bookish) beans on what brings us comfort between the pages.   You can find Supriya Nair at @supriyanair and Deepanjana Pal at @dpanjana on Instagram. This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in.  Theme Music: Easy Wanderlings - Here’s to You If you have any books, reading or literature-related questions, please email us at [email protected].  For a list of all the books mentioned in the season so far, check out: https://thelitpickers.fanlink.to/books

Retrieve your cuppa. We are spilling the tea on the good, the bad, and the ugly of “Beyond the Story,” a book that promises the behind-the-scenes story of the K-pop group and global phenomenon, BTS. We’re in conversation with Sharanya, our former podcast producer and a member of BTS Army. From the highs to the lows, we dissect what disappointed us about the book and uncover its saving graces. We share insights on  BTS for the uninitiated, delve into the individual musical tastes of the boys, speculate on their comeback, and discuss the unique connection they've built with their fans. Join the debate: is the book a literary delight or is it merch?  Pssst: We’re going on a little break, but we’ll be back next month! In the meantime, tune into Sharanya’s playlist, “BTS songs as stages of grief” here.   You can find Supriya Nair at @supriyanair and Deepanjana Pal at @dpanjana on Instagram.    If you have any books, reading or literature-related questions, please email us at [email protected].    For a list of all the books mentioned in the season so far, check out: https://thelitpickers.fanlink.to/books   This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in.  Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Head of Audio: Kartik Kulkarni Producer: Meghna Gulati  Sound Editor: Lakshman Parsuram Artwork: Alika Gupta   Theme Music: Easy Wanderlings - Here’s to You

Despite the thick books that win awards and hearts, bigger isn’t always better. In this episode, Supriya and Deepanjana discuss the significance of slim volumes, books that look like bite-sized snacks but have all the complexity of a tasting menu. From literary experiments to rallying calls to activism, the best of slim volumes should occupy pride of place on your bookshelf and they’ll tell you why. The chapbook, the novella, and single essays – explore these small wonders with us, discover how less can sometimes mean so much more, and stay for recommendations.    You can find Supriya Nair at @supriyanair and Deepanjana Pal at @dpanjana on Instagram.    If you have any books, reading or literature-related questions, please email us at [email protected].    For a list of all the books mentioned in the season so far, check out: https://thelitpickers.fanlink.to/books   This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in.  Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Head of Audio: Kartik Kulkarni Producer: Meghna Gulati  Sound Editor: Lakshman Parsuram Artwork: Alika Gupta Theme Music: Easy Wanderlings - Here’s to You

This week on The Lit Pickers, we’re exploring a capital idea. Let us take you on a time-slipping tour of Delhi, home to scholars and poets, Sufis and crazy rich Indians. It’s a place where seven cities are constantly re-learning and re-membering how to create a space for both those in the centre and on the margins. It’s India’s  political capital, and also the jewel of the Mughal Empire; it’s Lutyens’s creation, and the dream of its bureaucrats. Join us on this literary ramble of an episode, the podcast equivalent to a stroll through Lodi Gardens in autumn.   You can find Supriya Nair at @supriyanair and Deepanjana Pal at @dpanjana on Instagram.    If you have any books, reading or literature-related questions, please email us at [email protected].    For a list of all the books mentioned in the season so far, check out: https://thelitpickers.fanlink.to/books   This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in.  Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Head of Audio: Kartik Kulkarni Producer: Meghna Gulati  Sound Editor: Lakshman Parsuram Artwork: Alika Gupta   Theme Music: Easy Wanderlings - Here’s to You

We turn to books written in recent or ‘Near History’ that offer a glimpse into the political landscape of India in 2023. Tune in as Supriya and Deepanjana dissect three books that slice through our nation's present and future, offering insights into the concerns and anxieties that riddle the country today.   You can find Supriya Nair at @supriyanair and Deepanjana Pal at @dpanjana on Instagram.    If you have any books, reading or literature-related questions, please email us at [email protected].    For a list of all the books mentioned in the season so far, check out: https://thelitpickers.fanlink.to/books   This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in.  Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Head of Audio: Kartik Kulkarni Producer: Meghna Gulati  Sound Editor: Lakshman Parsuram Artwork: Alika Gupta   Theme Music: Easy Wanderlings - Here’s to You

In this special episode, we journey through history with Kalki’s legendary 'Ponniyin Selvan' novels. We uncover how the reputation of the books has evolved with generations of Tamil readers, what challenges the film adaptation posed, and how this series inspired travelers to embark on their own literary pilgrimages. Join us in our very first interview episode with Anand Krishnamoorthi, the maestro behind the magical soundscape of the film adaptations.   You can find Supriya Nair at @supriyanair and Deepanjana Pal at @dpanjana on Instagram.    If you have any books, reading or literature-related questions, please email us at [email protected].    For a list of all the books mentioned in the season so far, check out: https://thelitpickers.fanlink.to/books   This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in.  Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Head of Audio: Kartik Kulkarni Producer: Meghna Gulati  Sound Editor: Lakshman Parsuram Artwork: Alika Gupta   Theme Music: Easy Wanderlings - Here’s to You

Have you ever wished there was a gifting registry just for books? The Lit Pickers are here with precisely that. In this heartwarming episode, they tell stories about books that were given to them as gifts, and books they’ve gifted to others. From receiving a beloved classic or discovering a book that changed your life, this episode is all about the magic of sharing stories, and the unforgettable connections forged on the page. Join us for a festive conversation that'll leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.   You can find Supriya Nair at @supriyanair and Deepanjana Pal at @dpanjana on Instagram.    If you have any books, reading or literature-related questions, please email us at [email protected].    For a list of all the books mentioned in the season so far, check out: https://thelitpickers.fanlink.to/books   This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in.  Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Head of Audio: Kartik Kulkarni Producer: Meghna Gulati  Sound Editor: Lakshman Parsuram Artwork: Alika Gupta   Theme Music: Easy Wanderlings - Here’s to You

Gather 'round, listeners, for a Halloween treat that's more than just a bag of candy. On this spine-tingling literary journey, we delve into the world of spooky books. But 'spooky' isn't just about scares—it also involves the unexplained, the inexplicable, and the eerie. From tales that blur the lines between normal and paranormal to narratives that challenge deep-rooted societal norms, we'll explore how literature keeps us up at night. This All Souls Day, be ready to embrace the dark side of storytelling. So, grab your flashlight, and your favourite cosy blanket, because we're diving into a world where the spooky is more than meets the eye.  Enter if you dare.   You can find Supriya Nair at @supriyanair and Deepanjana Pal at @dpanjana on Instagram.    If you have any books, reading or literature-related questions, please email us at [email protected].    For a list of all the books mentioned in the season so far, check out: https://thelitpickers.fanlink.to/books   This is a Maed In India Production; check us out at www.maedinindia.in.  Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome Head of Audio: Kartik Kulkarni Producer: Meghna Gulati  Sound Editor: Lakshman Parsuram Artwork: Alika Gupta   Theme Music: Easy Wanderlings - Here’s to You